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27 Nov 2006, 21:07 (Ref:1776124) | #1 | ||
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Vauxhall Commodore ?
Im not sure if its true, but whatching 5th Gear today, a guy from Australia was talking about the new VE Commadore and saying it will replace the monaro in the UK! I really hope this is true!!!!!!!!
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28 Nov 2006, 00:04 (Ref:1776255) | #2 | ||
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Not a direct replacement because as yet it is only a 4 door sedan (in two wheelbase lengths), but a coupe is expected (as is an estate). The next Camaro (as per shows earlier in the year) will be based on the Commodore platform, and there is talk of a different Monaro coupe in addition.
Would Vauxhall be interested in selling a large sedan? The Commodore is 4.9m long, 1700kg with a 3.6L 255bhp V6 or 6.0L V8. They are standard GM motors though, so could easily have a 2.8/3.2 V6 or a 5.3L V8 instead, and there is supposed to be a diesel version in the works as well. |
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28 Nov 2006, 07:37 (Ref:1776396) | #3 | ||
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nicky- CommOdore, not CommAdore.
Trust me- You don't want to VE over the Monaro! They've stopped producing the Monaros here in Australia and they are are living legend of motor cars! |
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28 Nov 2006, 08:47 (Ref:1776426) | #4 | ||
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As others have said, the new Australian developed Commodore platform will be General Motors main worldwide RWD platform for the next few years. And will definitely be the base for the new Camaro. Will there be a Vauxhall/Opel branded large rwd saloon, who knows?
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28 Nov 2006, 21:48 (Ref:1776987) | #5 | ||
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Hmmm, the Vectra is currently Europes GM saloon, will the new vectra be based on a commadore possibly?
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28 Nov 2006, 21:59 (Ref:1776996) | #6 | |||
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28 Nov 2006, 22:17 (Ref:1777006) | #7 | ||
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Supposedly, we are getting the VE here in the States as well as a Pontiac and maybe a Chevy version. The Pontiac version is believed to be a rebadged Commodore, which I'm all for. I'll buy anything Holden.
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29 Nov 2006, 04:04 (Ref:1777107) | #8 | ||
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As Dave said, the Commodore is much larger (I would say two sizes larger), and also longitudinal engine / rwd. It is between the Merc E & S classes in size, and the lwb version would be a good “budget” S Class substitute. The previous model Commodore was a lengthened and widened version of the mid-nineties Omega which I understand has not been replaced. Truckosaurus would such a car sell? I doubt it, because weren’t the Omega and Ford Scorpio dropped because buyers were going to prestige brands in that price range? I don’t see it fitting the Saab image, or do GM have another prestige brand in Europe I can’t think of?
JHamilton, I agree although it should be noted such a car would not be produced in Australia but in North America/Mexico. There has actually been speculation that there might be exports of some variants from there to here, using RHD parts shipped over, rather than building too many low volume variants in Australia. The previous model Commodore had up to 11 different bodyshells being produced inc awd variants which I think they now realise was over the top. By comparison Ford do 5 bodyshells locally. The cars they don’t have a competitor for (coupe & dual cab pickup in both 2 & 4wd, and 4wd cab-chassis pickup) would probably account for somewhere around 6-8000 sales annually. Toyota currently produce 2 models (based on the same Camry bodyshell) but there is talk of also doing the next Highlander/Kluger. |
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29 Nov 2006, 10:00 (Ref:1777585) | #9 | |||
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GM also now sell Daewoos as Chevrolets in the UK, perhaps that might be another possible badge to stick on the front of an Australian built 'big car'. |
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29 Nov 2006, 18:42 (Ref:1777982) | #10 | |||
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My understanding is that Holden is trying to "pitch" producing some of the Zeta models in Australia and ship them to the US. This would include the next generation Grand Prix and Impala. Other Zeta models like the Camaro and next gen GTO would be produced here in the states. Here is an article on the subject..... http://www.motortrend.com/features/a...gto_grand_prix |
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29 Nov 2006, 10:38 (Ref:1777621) | #11 | ||
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Down under they sell daewoos as Holden Vivas.
As if that name did not bring up bad memories from the past. |
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29 Nov 2006, 20:24 (Ref:1778050) | #12 | ||
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I have read somewhere that we are indeed going to get a VXR version of the Commodore here in the UK, Holden have stopped producing the Monaro and our stocks here will run out soon enough, and the Monaro seems to have been a big hit here in the UK Vauxhall are hoping the Commodore will prove to be as big a hit here too.
VXR will play about with Holdens version, and then bring it over here, i remember a few years ago there was a few of the older Commodores being imported to the UK, so people wanted them then and that was before the Monaro hit the shores in Vauxhall guise. I think it might have even been in Auto express that i read this. |
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29 Nov 2006, 21:26 (Ref:1778092) | #13 | |||
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29 Nov 2006, 22:23 (Ref:1778132) | #14 | ||
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I dont know, there were alot of Monaro's at Silverstone the other week for the final round of the BTCC. And i have seen a few about myself, Vauxhall is gaining a much better reputation these days, thanks to the VXR branded motors and better looking/built cars in general.
If i had 30 grand spare, i would buy a VXR Commodore. |
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30 Nov 2006, 06:08 (Ref:1778300) | #15 | ||
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The article mentions sending the lwb sedan to the US as a Buick was dropped (strange reasoning given, surely it would not be impossible to sell SUVs and sedans as well?? No wonder GM is doing so well). It goes further than that, from memory big big dollars were spent on the cars’ development with a view for serious volume sales/production in the States, then things went sour about 18mths-2yrs before launch at which time Holden went into a frenzy of getting cost out of the car and remaining development, because all of a sudden their development cost-per-unit sums were looking very sick.
There was noise about the previous Commodore going to the States 10yrs ago, again as a Buick, but that was quashed by the UAW. I wonder if that has changed? I understand the ~18k per year the Pontiac GTO was expected to sell was acceptable, but surely a large sedan ought to sell in far greater numbers than that. If it got off the ground properly it would exceed the capacity of the local plant. As it stands Holden export a decent number of cars to the middle east, mostly the lwb sedan (sold as Chev Caprice) but also some swb sedans (Chev Lumina) and a few Monaros. Something our UK readers may not be aware of is there is now a free trade agreement between AUS/USA. Re UK/Europe, it would be interesting to see the car sold as a Cadillac, certainly it would be more acceptable to European taste than the normal Caddy barge (even though they are better I gather they aren’t great yet) although no doubt a bit “cheap” in the interior. I’m not sure Chev badging would work, if it wouldn’t sell as a Vauxhall why would a cheaper brand work? Daz90 I am aware of the earlier HSV imports, I imagine “few” might be the operative number there… VXR don’t need to do much to the car, they just take the HSV version which has the mods done already, as per previous VXRs. The new HSV has 307kw/410hp, Magnetic Ride Control dampers on the top version and they have finally put wider rubber on the rear (275/35/20), 365/350mm brakes etc. Unless they want to put a blower on it… Blueblood – I don’t think too many in the target market would be aware there was a car with the name previously! Edit - geez I have written some cr@p in this thread, please tell me to shut up if you aren't finding it useful/interesting lol Last edited by johnh875; 30 Nov 2006 at 06:11. |
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30 Nov 2006, 09:37 (Ref:1778377) | #16 | ||||||
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1 Dec 2006, 17:59 (Ref:1779732) | #17 | |||||
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As for your Nova example, they stopped producing that car in 1992, the Corsa obviously replaced it and the older examples of that are now being turned into 'chav' mobiles. However again, the current Corsa looks a decent little car, certainly a better example of what Vauxhall have acheived since the first incarnation of the Corsa back in 93. Big volume manufacturers have a hard time, because they build cars for the masses, and they do so on a budget, this often shows, but Vauxhall are improveing imensly. |
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1 Dec 2006, 18:54 (Ref:1779766) | #18 | ||||
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Last edited by Dave Brand; 1 Dec 2006 at 18:59. |
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1 Dec 2006, 23:11 (Ref:1779892) | #19 | |||
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30 Nov 2006, 15:45 (Ref:1778743) | #20 | |||
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Buick is in big trouble and I would not be surprised it that marque gets wacked in the short term future. They really need to take that brand towards the high end Japanese market (specifically Lexus) if they are to succeed. The current offerings from Buick are really pretty sad. On your point about Caddy...They are vastly improved. Not even the same company they were 10 years ago. You guys need one of these..... A M3 that makes a proper noise. I'm not sure if you were kidding or not, but the last few VXRs are coming equiped with a blower from the factory. |
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30 Nov 2006, 21:49 (Ref:1779056) | #21 | ||
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[QUOTE=JHamilton]
A M3 that makes a proper noise. QUOTE] If you're telling me that the 'M' S54 six doesn't make a proper noise, then you are seriously mistaken. I'll take that hair-raising rasp over the farty tractor noise a Chev V8 makes any day. |
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1 Dec 2006, 00:19 (Ref:1779146) | #22 | |||
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[quote=pplater]
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30 Nov 2006, 10:58 (Ref:1778460) | #23 | ||
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There was a Monaro / HSV owners club bash at the Silverstone BTCC. I'm told most of the Monaros in the country were there.
If GM do decide to sell the new Commodore in Europe I wouldn't be surprised if it has a Cadillac badge - they're desperately trying to break the Cadillac name in the UK. |
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30 Nov 2006, 11:52 (Ref:1778519) | #24 | ||
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No no, it's quite interesting John. Have GM thought of bringing in the VE to the US as a CKD (complete knocked down) kit? That was Holden gets money (not as much as if they built the whole thing, but still), and it would keep the UAW happy because their work won't be going overseas and they still have jobs.
They could also put their US built (are LS2's US built, could be Canada or Mexico) engines, It'd also be a good thing for GM in the US as AFAIK they don't have a large RWD car. |
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30 Nov 2006, 15:48 (Ref:1778748) | #25 | |||
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LS2s are built in Canada and the Tremec transmissions are built in Mexico. |
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